The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), under the Union government, has written to the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (PCB), the central pollution control board, the district magistrate of North 24-Parganas and the state fire services department, seeking action in response to a letter from a Bengal-based NGO that alleged failure of the government to stop the functioning of unlicensed fireworks manufacturing units in the state.

In response, on September 10, the state pollution control board member secretary, Rajesh Kumar, has written to all commissioners of police, district magistrates and superintendents of police to give the matter “priority” and asking them “to take immediate steps to augment vigil and stop the functioning of the unlicensed fireworks manufacturing...”

According to the PCB, currently, the onus of giving green fireworks licences is on the fire department and district magistrate offices based on manufacturing certificates provided by national environment engineering research institute (NEERI).

NGO Paribesh Academy, headed by Biswajit Mukherjee, former chief law officer of state board, has alleged that about 70 people died in 27 blasts in illegal firework units in state since 2009. According to sources while around 25 fireworks units in Bengal have valid licenses; thousands are illegal.

“Copy of the letter… received from Paribesh Academy, Barabazar, Chandernagor, Hooghly, regarding failure of the government machinery to stop the functioning of the unlicensed fireworks manufacturing units... is forwarded herewith for further course of action,” wrote joint chief controller of explosives, east circle, Calcutta to the state PCB and others.